Indie Wedding Guide

Outdoor Wedding Series - All in a Nest

If you are planning an outdoor wedding, maybe it's time to think outside the box. That's what today's company does. They take you outdoors and create beautiful accessories that are truly unique. That's what I love most about independent companies, they dare to be different.

Mosey Handmade is a company formed around the ideas of reconstructed, recycled and re-loved.

If you are planning a garden wedding Mosey Handmade makes an adorable line of "nest accessories" These nesting birds in yellows would be a perfect adornment as a cake topper.

These Groom Boutonnières are so whimsical, I love that they are created with vintage millinery supplies, real acorns and acorn tops, wool roving and real moss.

Head over to Mosey for these delightful accessories "all in a nest".

- Gabreial Wyatt, Vintage Indie

Today's Vintage Wedding Gown - Recycle Reduce Reuse Shop Vintage

Finding the perfect wedding dress can be somewhat of a challenge but what you are looking for may be deep in the roots of vintage style and flair. Go back in time with me as I highlight vintage wedding gowns each week. You never know maybe "the one" you've been looking for will be featured here. Not to mention buying a vintage dress is another way to recycle, reuse and reduce!

Today's vintage wedding gown comes from one of my favorite vintage shops Enigmavintage. It's a 1960's Dreamy White Satin and organza dress.
Shoulders: 16"(the width of the ruffle)
Bust: 16"
Waist: 12"
Hips: 16"
Length: 38"

Have an Indie Wedding Guide story? Share them with us!

- Gabreial, Vintage Indie

KT Jean Designs - Indie Alternative Wedding Dress

It is possible to find a dress that's not mass produced that has an even bigger "wow" factor. Today's Indie Alternative pick is from the ever so talented Katie Jean Walker of KT Jean Designs.

I fell in love with the chic designs and luscious layers of fabrics used to create this stunning custom spaghetti strap wedding dress. The price 900.00 for this exact dress, (other fabrics, variations may reflect price).

Looking to go with a classic black and white theme? This Black Vintage Slip Dress would coordinate beautifully for your bridesmaids with the above dress and can be custom sized.

I spoke a little further with Katie Jean about her business and what it means to her to be an independent designer.

Being an independent designer means first of all, I get to be home with my little boy Caden. He is so fun and I am happy I get to be with him so much. It also means that I get to be creative, do what I love, and make my own rules! ( Well, I work with brides a lot so it is really their rules I go by ;-), but I have a say in what I create and I get to put my style into everything I make. That is so cool to me! I am getting paid to do my hobby and other people actually like what I make, so I think I found my niche!

What kinds of items and service do you offer that the larger companies don't?

The service that I think I offer is my time. I spend a lot of time with each person talking about details to get exactly what they want. We discuss styles, fabrics, lengths, colors, and the list just goes on! Each of these dresses is completely one-of-a-kind because I make it to each persons preferences. As well as me spending a lot of time with people to make their piece perfect, I save them a lot of time and money in the long run. Since I create each piece using their measurements, there should be no need for serious alterations. I know that many large companies fit everyone into their sizes, but I don't have sizes, I make your dress "you sized". I have been wanting to expand my collection, but I am so busy with custom orders of the dresses I already feature! New stuff will be coming soon though!


Here are a couple of other things about me: I try to use vintage and recycled fabrics as much as possible, The first wedding dress I made was in January and since then I have had close to 50 orders.

Be sure to catch KT Jean Designs at her newly launched website kt jean:: Couture Design

The Non-Essentials with Guest Author Anne Chertoff From "I Will to I Do"

The Indie Wedding Guide would like to welcome our guest author Anne Chertoff From " I will to I do".  She writes a fabulous column on iVillage full of fabulous tips from planning to etiquette and everything in between. We hope you enjoy her latest tips on The Non-Essentials of your wedding, things you can really live witout - a bathroom hospitality basket, seat covers, SUV/Hummer Limos etc.  

The dress, cake and flowers are some of the signature elements of a wedding, but there are a lot of details that while they're nice to have, they aren't necessary. And since they are not essential pieces, you can save yourself a lot of money by deciding not to have these elements early on. Here are some if the items I'm talking about:

 

Hospitality basket for the restrooms. You do not need to supply your guests with toiletries in the bathroom. Check with the location manager to make sure that there is a first-aid kit incase someone needs a band-aid. Your guests will come with their hair done, so they won't need a brush or hairspray, and in reality the items you put in a hospitality basket will more than likely end up being a favor your guests take home, than something they'll actually use during your wedding.

 Chair covers. Unless the chairs you are using, or renting, are really awful – broken, bent, etc… - you don't need to rent chair covers for them. No one will leave your wedding saying, "That was a lovely wedding, but I think they should have covered those chairs." I promise.

 

   Over the top transportation. You can arrive at your wedding in whatever type of vehicle you like, but there is no rule that says you must show up in a limo. You can order a town car or just arrive in your own car (like I did). If you want to arrive or leave in a limo, a classic black or white stretch is fine. Larger limos (Hummers) are not only bad for the environment, they cost a lot of money, and can be difficult to get in and out of in a wedding dress.

 

 Save-the-date cards. Originally sent to notify guests of destination wedding details, today, save-the-date cards are sent for weddings held anywhere. But you don't need to send save-the-date cards at all. But if you do send them, only mail cards to people you are definitely planning on inviting to the wedding. Remember that whoever receives a save-the-date card also receives a wedding invitation.

{All contributed content/photos in this feature © Anne Chertoff From I Will to I Do Please do not copy or redistribute without permission}.

 

 

Designer View - Kristin of Sweeter Than Me Bridal

Recently I spoke with indie  jewelry designer Kristin Friesen of Sweeter Than Me Bridal to discuss  what it means to her to be an  independent business and designer.

What does it mean to you to be an independent jewelry designer?

To me, being an indie designer of any kind means self sufficiency. Sharing my work with others is a secondary (and equally wonderful) perk of making jewelry. For me, I love the fact that I can make virtually anything I see. If I see a necklace on a girl on the street and I want it, I go home and make one. I love being able to look in my closet and design the perfect pair of earrings to go with any given outfit. Jewelry is a luxury that many people cannot usually afford, myself included, and I love the fact that I can make a little something special for myself at a fraction of the cost. Another thing that is really special for me is seeing my pieces in real life. For example, I was at my in-law's house a week or so ago and I saw my mother-in-law wearing a pair of earrings I gave her. It means so much to me seeing people really use and appreciate the things I design, it makes me so happy. This is why I create.
                                 

What kinds of jewelry and service do you offer that the larger companies don't?

Well, the real difference between buying handmade and buying commercially produced items is the level of personal service you receive. There is a lot of competition in the world of handmade jewelry and I do my best to set myself apart, but the thing that sets me apart the most is my consistent excellent customer service. I really pride myself on my level of customer service, I am always 100% committed to the satisfaction of my customers and I think customer relationships are extremely important. (And I haven't had a single unhappy customer so far!)
                                       
    Another big difference is this ability to customize. Large companies offer certain styles and if you don't like them, well then tough. If you don't like my styles, well then we work together to create something you do like. I am always up for doing custom work because I know how hard it can be to find that thing that's "just right". This is especially true for brides. You have that very specific necklace in your mind but you just can't seem to find it anywhere! It can be overwhelming trying to shop for jewelry and intimidating to ask a seller directly for help. Keep in mind that indie designers are real people just like you, who would love to help solve your problem. I am always so honored when women ask me to design their jewelry, and I truly enjoy helping them to create their perfect piece.

All of the pieces at Sweeter Than Me Bridal can be customized and tailored to fit the needs of any bride. Many pieces are shown in white/pearl/silver as an example but can be made in gold, ivory, or any other color to match chosen wedding colors for brides or bridesmaids.

- Gabreial Wyatt, Vintage Indie

Outdoor Wedding Series - Just the right touch

Sometimes simple is better. It's cost effective, it's easier on the environment and the little additions that you do add to your special day truly have more meaning. Today's feature is from Middleburg Folk Art Studio. I found the most lovely creations for your garden themed wedding that give it "just the right touch"

A wonderful keepsake and addition to your garden wedding are these adorable Love Birds in the Garden. Hand made of paper mache these darling birds can hold a special message like "i love you" or "just married" I think they would make a lovely addition to the bride and groom table.

I also fell in love with this Classic Couple Cake Topper. "Some customizability is availability on this piece, such as: hair color and style. Flower colors, her dress style, his tux style."

Head over to Middleburg and add just the right touches to your garden themed wedding.

Gabreial, Vintage Indie

A Toast to our Sponsor - Flying Needle

The Indie Wedding Guide would like to welcome Flying Needle Gallery back again this month as our sponsor.

Consider custom cloth napkins at your dinner party or reception. Washable, reusable, and good for the environment. You'll have plenty napkins from your reception to never have to buy paper towels or paper napkins again.

• Flying Needle Gallery welcomes custom orders to fit your weddings color scheme.

Take 20% off all orders (25.00 and up) through June 30, 2008. Use Code INDIEWED during checkout.

Be sure to check out their line of Baby Gifts, Robes and much more!

6 Reasons to Buy a Vintage Gown (2-6) by Jennifer Hollon of Cherished Bride

 

Nothing Could be Greener . . .   

As we become more conscious of our impact on the Earth, we are also becoming aware of how dependent we are on an infinitely complicated system of complex relationships, hidden waste, and obscured consequences. This can leave us infinitely confused - Which is better, paper or plastic? Stove or microwave? What’s the impact of the batteries in our iPhone - or the iPhone itself, for that matter?

 

Fortunately, there is one way we can be confident we are making as little environmental impact as possible; Re-use - anything and everything. And fortunately, we live in a culture with plenty of everything to re-use.

 

But most fortunate of all, the bride who chooses a vintage gown can be confident she has made the best possible choice for the environment. One of the few choices she may make that is all reward and no sacrifice.

Timeless and Classic . . .

 

Ever notice how wedding pictures of even a decade or two ago often appear hopelessly dated?  Fashion changes so quickly that what seems fresh and new one moment quickly becomes stale. But as the saying goes “Everything old is new again.” Vintage gowns have survived their own phase of “hopelessly dated” to emerge afresh as classically elegant.

 

Season after season, designers turn to the fashions of yesterday for inspiration - and they are never disappointed. Far from becoming passé, a well-designed and beautifully made vintage gown will never be out of style.

Stunning Harlow Gown of Gleaming Satin

 

 

 

 

 

 

Something for Everyone . . .

Today’s bride has decade upon decade of fashion arrayed before her – truly an embarrassment of riches. She can choose the elongated curves of a 30’s bias-cut, a shapely gown from the 1940’s, or perhaps a full ball gown of the 1950’s or a Camelot-inspired dress from the Kennedy era. With such variety she is sure to find the gown that is uniquely her.

 

A vintage gown expresses the creativity and individuality of the bride in a way that a modern gown, however lovely, could never do. The bride who wears vintage creates her own style informed by her own personality - not the dictates of others.

 

Show-Stopping 60's Designer Gown

A Vintage Gown is History . . .

But it’s also the future. When you choose a vintage gown you are choosing an heirloom, perhaps the first, for your new family.

 

These gowns were made to last and have stood the test of time. With reasonable care, a vintage gown could be a treasure you’ll share with your own daughter - or even granddaughter, someday.

 

One Last Word . . .

In this modern age, where simple romance is conspicuously lacking, a vintage gown is simply romantic. And romance should never lose its place in the wedding celebration.

  - Jennifer Hollon, Cherished Bride

A special thanks to Jennifer Hollon of Cherished Bride for her insight on choosing and buying a vintage gown. We encourage you to head over to her site and browse the gorgeous gowns and accessories that she offers.

Eco-Friendly Bridal Invitations by Woman Craft

WomanCraft, a non-profit and social enterprise employing women who are currently homeless or are no longer homeless in Chicago, specializes in handmade and eco-friendly bridal invitations.

WomanCraft has always been green since the organization has been producing exclusively handmade 100% recycled paper - and providing jobs to women transitioning from homelessness - since 1998. “People started asking us to make their wedding invitations 3 or 4 years ago and we did here and there, just by request at first,” says Nancy Phillips, general manager of WomanCraft. “Now weddings are over half of our business and ‘green brides’ from all over the country have found us. Last year, we won [Chicago] Mayor Daley’s GreenWorks award for leadership environmentally responsible products.”

 

WomanCraft exists to employ women as artisans. “The fact that we recycle shredded office paper and use reclaimed botanic elements means that we pay less for raw materials and that more money goes to pay the artisans, which supports our social mission - so the environment wins, the artisans win and eco-friendly customers win,” says Phillips.

 

Some brides wonder whether you can still be cost-effective and green. WomanCraft seems to think so since brides have definitely fueled the organization’s growth. “WomanCraft's reputation for custom "green" invitations has definitely driven our growth, especially as we've started serving more brides across the country,” Phillips adds. “Our handmade paper is exclusively recycled, so - for us - being "green" hasn't added any costs - just more customers. From a pricing standpoint, we offer value by being green and providing custom invitations for about the same cost as other invitations.”

 

But that’s not to say eco-friendly wedding invitations can’t look as stylized and beautiful as their more traditional counterparts. “WomanCraft believes the ‘green’ wedding options have to be as gorgeous and stylish as traditional options – that we need to continually offer even ‘greener’ options with more customization and that brides are willing to set aside more traditions to have a greener wedding,” says Phillips.

                                 

 

Even eco-friendly invitations have seen changes in recent years. “Two years ago, using postcards for reply cards was a big ‘green’ concession - now more couples are using email or web replies,” Phillips points out. “More people are requesting hemp twine instead of satin ribbon. More people want all-recycled, not just recycled content.”

 

Phillips embraces bridal couples’ interest in doing everything they can to make their special day not only memorable, but thoughtful. “When a couple's values are reflected in the choices they make in planning their wedding, it makes their event more meaningful for them and for their guests,” she says. “WomanCraft's customers are delighted that their invitations support women who are working to create new beginnings, support a sustainable environment and are handmade in custom colors.”

 

And at the end of the day, choosing products and vendors with positive impact on the community and the earth adds meaning to a couple's wedding.

 

For more information about WomanCraft wedding invitations, you can contact:

Nancy Phillips, General Manager, WomanCraft

phone: 773-521-3414; email: womancraft@yahoo.com

Web site: Web site: www.WomanCraft.net

 

6 Reasons to Buy a Vintage Gown by Jennifer Hollon of Cherished Bride

Jennifer Hollon is the proprietress of Cherished Bride, a beautiful online vintage bridal salon. She's extremely educated in her gowns, and provides excellent customer service to each of her brides.She'll be with us this week and next for her Six Reasons to buy a vintage gown.

Twice the Gown for Half the Money. . .

The quality and workmanship exhibited in vintage gowns is far superior to all but the most expensive gowns available today – and even most of them can’t compare. Many of the richly lustrous slipper satins, delicate laces and dressmaker details are simply not available today at any price.

 

Modern gowns often imitate vintage styles but use inferior materials and construction techniques that result in an inferior product – though that doesn’t prevent a hefty price tag. Most gowns, whether shiny satin, duchesse, chiffon, or other fancy weave are made of just plain ole’ polyester and acetate. And modern silks are treated with so many “finishing” chemicals that their resistance to deterioration over time is in serious question.

 

Made in America . . .

In the not so distant past, American goods were recognized as the best in the world. Vintage gowns were Made in America by skilled artisans during the era of the country's greatest manufacturing achievements. Unionized craftspeople who earned a decent wage worked to the exacting standards of designers and producers whose clientele recognized - and required - quality.

 

Vintage gowns were not cranked out by the thousands in foreign sweatshops by manufacturers who care far more for profit than excellence. A vintage gown carries no taint of exploitation - just one more reason to revel in its beauty.

- Jennifer Hollon, Cherished Bride